The latest issue to dominate the political narrative nationally -- 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State legislatures -- following the passage of the bill in both houses of Parliament found its echo in Goa as well.
The tu-tu, mein-mein was between the newly elected Rajya Sabha MP from Goa, Sadanand Shet Tanavade, who also happens to be the State president of the ruling BJP and former Goa Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Girish Chodankar, who was recently elevated as 'permanent invitee' of the Grand Old Party's all-powerful 'Working Committee'.
Chodankar, known to grab the limelight with his quirky takes was quick to point out the lack of representation for women in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's cabinet, although the saffron party has all the three women MLAs in Gos's House of 40 on its legislative wing's roster.
Chodankar taunted Sawant to prove his reverence for women by giving them representation in his cabinet, else his claims would be merely empty words.
It was Tanavade who jumped into the debate arguing that the three women legislators -- Jennifer Monserrate, Deviya Rane and Delilah Lobo -- cannot be accommodated in the State cabinet as the husbands, Monserrate and Rane were already ministers and it would violate the steadfast principal of one post per family. Delilah on the other hand joined the BJP along with her husband Lobo much after Sawant formed his team when the Congress to BJP defection happened in September.
Explanations aside, the women's reservation, if and when its implementation happens, isn't going to be an easy task to handle politically for leaderships of political parties.
Quite literally, could it be a ticket to politics and the seat of power for kith and kin of established politicians much akin to the scene at civic and village local bodies? More likely than not.
Kissa Mapusa petrol pump ka
While Goans were busy celebrating one of their biggest festivals -- Ganesh Chaturthi -- Mapusa's city-fathers were gearing up to discuss and probably to resolve setting up yet another petrol pump in town.
Yes, you heard it right -- a petrol pump which would be set up right in the heart of the city.
In fact, the applicant had even sent a proposal to the Mapusa Municipal Council to set up the gas station.
One wonders though when the government is betting high on electricity-operated vehicles, why this fascination to set up a petrol station.
The petrol pump was supposed to be set up in the open space, opposite the Mapusa Industrial Estate, right in the heart of the town.
With Mapusa grappling with massive traffic congestion and parking woes, this plan is surely going to make things worse.
But then we have elected our representatives who know the best. Well, to be fair we still do not know who is behind this move.
But, we'll get back to you as soon as we get the tip-off. Till then, hold your breath!
